Gifts for Grief
6 healing Gifts for Grieving
It can be difficult to know how best to support someone who is grieving. Sometimes there are no words that feel helpful, and watching a loved one grieve can feel helpless.
There are a few gifts that may help bring comfort during times of loss.
Food
Grief can be overwhelming. Even making a meal can be a challenge when someone is dealing with loss. Energy can run low, desire to eat can be altered, and simple tasks such as grocery shopping can be too big of a chore. Nutrition is an essential part of our mental health and healing, so the gift of “making eating easy” is one way to genuinely support someone in their time of grief. Offer to make a trip to the grocery store on their behalf, or have something special delivered. Here are a few ideas:
Edible Arrangements: An uplifting fruit basket can be a sweet spot in someone’s day.
Harry and David: Fruits and foods that can be delivered monthly as a reminder of continued support.
Spoonful of Comfort: Comforting items such as soups, cookies, and cozy blankets can be delivered to help support better self-care during difficult times.
Manhattan Fruitier: Upscale gourmet food baskets can help show someone that you care.
2. Flowers
Nothing uplifts a space like flowers. They naturally carry a high vibration and bring gorgeous colors, a fresh aroma, and beauty like nothing else. Support a local small-business florist, or use a delivery service like one of these:
3. Music
Music has always been used as a healing tool.
Even in ancient times, people were gathering to share connection, culture, and songs.
Share a healing song that supports the grieving process or one that inspires a memory of their loved one.
(Taylor Swift wrote this for her grandmother.)
4. Memories
Precious memories are preserved through story telling.
Sharing your favorite stories about their loved one and recalling important memories is a beautiful way to honor a person’s life.
A memory is a uniquely special gift because it’s a reminder of a person’s connections, adventures, and impact.
5: Pictures
Share pictures of their loved one that tell of a different time. Pictures can reflect the fullness and depth of someone’s life, and they provide comfort by keeping memories vivid and clear.
“What i like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”
―Karl Lagerfeld
Let this be a reminder of how important pictures can be, so take more photos with those you love. #takemorepictures
6: Presence
People need connection - especially when working through difficult emotions.
Offering the gift of presence can be healing for everyone involved.
Grief can be disorienting. Time passes differently when grieving. The memory gets distorted and the days seem to lose their structure.
It can be difficult for someone who is grieving to know what they need, and even more difficult to ask for those needs to be met.
Reaching out to establish connection can be a wonderfully healing gift.
Good questions to ask:
Can I come sit and visit with you?
I have an hour free in the morning, I’d love to spend it with you.
Can I keep you company?
Can I come help you get anything done or run any errands for you?
Can I bring you anything?
Can I come give you a hug?
Can I bring you a coffee or tea and we can enjoy a little chat?
These were just a few ideas of how offering support can lighten the burden for someone who is grieving.
Grief can be a challenging emotion to live with. It can feel heavy, overwhelming, and can come in waves, but....
“The simple act of caring is heroic.” - Edward Albert
Be heroic.
Jacquelyn Benjamin
PS - What have you found to be helpful when someone is grieving? Please share your experience of support.
Read this article:
GOOD GRIEF: THE UPSIDE OF GRIEF
I challenged myself to find anything positive amidst so much loss. What I witnessed is that grief can be inspiring.
